Tamper-evident coupling system, process of making said coupling system, container comprising said coupling system and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a tamper-evident coupling system including a first base portion, a second base portion, and a tamper-evident coating. The first base portion includes a first coupling portion. The second base portion includes a second coupling portion and is configured to cooperate with the first coupling portion. The first and the second coupling portions are configured to define a priming configuration when the first and second coupling portion are engaged to each other. The tamper-evident coating is associated with a sheet material of the first and the second coupling portions and is configured to visually signal, following a scraping force of the coating, an attempt to separate the first and second coupling portions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119 to Italian Patent Application No. 102018000007473, filed Jul. 24, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to tamper-evident coupling systems and processes for making the same. The present disclosure further relates to containers including such coupling systems and uses of such coupling systems for containers, packaging, envelopes, and/or bands for the containment and/or wrapping of products of various kinds. The coupling systems may find application in all the fields related to the packaging of products that require a degree of security that provides evidence of a package tampering. For example, the coupling systems may be employed in the fields of packaging, communication (e.g., for postal services), transport, and logistics.

BACKGROUND

The employment of packages—made of paper or plastic material—is known, for products of various kinds and equipped with security systems defined as “tamper-evident”. In fact, the demand for packaging to ensure to the consumer the integrity of the product is increasing: tamper-evident systems have the purpose of showing a first opening of the package, so as to warn of the danger of possible tampering of the product.

A first example, relates to a box made of paper material having a storage provided with an opening in which a movable closing tab is engaged by rotation with respect to the storage between a closed condition of the container, in which the tab occludes the opening of the storage, and an open condition, in which the tab allows the passage of products through the storage opening. The closing tab has an inserting portion adapted to be inserted inside the container in the closed condition thereof; on the inserting portion, two folded flaps are defined opposite to each other and joined to the inserting portion by means of a weakened portion. The container further includes a hooking portion defined by a V-shaped tab “V” folded inside the storage: on said tongue—at the bottom of the “V” shape—a pocket is defined for receiving the inserting portion: in the closed condition, the flaps are configured to fit into the pocket and be constrained to the hooking portion so as to lock the closing tab to the storage. Upon a first open condition of the container, the flaps are configured for detaching from the inserting portion.

However, it is noted that the aforementioned tamper-evident safety systems do not allow clear evidence if the container has been previously tampered with: the user must be able to notice the container tampering only on the basis of the perceived resistance which opposes the opening of the container.

A second example, relates to a tamper-evident container including a storage provided with an opening at which a closing system is constrained and movable by rotation with respect to the storage between a closed condition, in which the closing system closes the opening of the storage, and an open condition, in which the closing system allows the passage of products through the opening of the storage. The container includes a security device exhibiting a first hooking portion associated with the closing system and a second hooking portion arranged inside the storage; the first and the second hooking portions are configured for engaging under a first closed condition of the container.

The security device further includes a removable portion defined by at least one between said first and second hooking portions; the removable portion is configured for breaking and separating from the container under a first opening condition of the latter immediately following the first closed condition. A through opening is present on the storage, enabling the display of the removable portion. The aforementioned container ensures an effective closure of the container without the use of additional seals and is further capable of clearly showing the occurred tampering of the container by virtue of the presence of the through opening on the storage, through which the lack of the removable portion of the security device may be identified.

Current tamper-evident security devices, although widely used, may be further improved.

SUMMARY

The object of the present disclosure therefore is to substantially solve the drawbacks and/or limitations of the above prior art.

A first object of the disclosure is to provide a coupling system which may effectively guarantee that tampering is shown following an attempt at a first opening thereof in particular, it is the object of the disclosure to provide a tamper-evident coupling system having a tamper-evident security system which can be easily primed (activatable) under a first closed condition thereof. It is a further object of the disclosure to provide a coupling system of simple and rapid manufacturing, which enables to reduce product and production costs to a minimum.

It is an additional object to provide a coupling system which is flexible in the use thereof, which may be effectively employed on different types of products, such as, for example, containers of sheet material (both made of paper and plastic), envelopes, product wrapping bands.

One or more of the objects described above and which will become more apparent in the course of the following description are substantially achieved by a tamper-evident coupling system, a making process and a use of the coupling system itself according to one or more of the accompanying claims and/or of the following aspects, taken alone or in any combination thereof or in combination with any one of the accompanying claims and/or in combination with any of the further aspects or features described below.

In a 1st aspect is provided a tamper-evident coupling system (1) including:

-   -   at least one first base portion (11),     -   at least one second base portion (12),     -   at least one first coupling portion (130) carried by the first         base portion (11),     -   at least one second coupling portion (140) carried by the second         base portion (12) and configured to cooperate with said first         coupling portion (130),

the first and the second coupling portion (130, 140) being configured to define at least one priming condition wherein said first and second coupling portion (130, 140) are engaged to each other,

characterized by the fact that the coupling system (1) includes a tamper-evident coating (52) associated to at least one between the first and the second coupling portion (130, 140), wherein said tamper-evident coating (52) is configured to visually signal, following a scraping stress of the coating itself, an attempt to separate said first and second coupling portion (130, 140).

In a 2nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, wherein the coupling system is made of sheet material, optionally made of paper sheet material.

In a 3rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the tamper-evident coating (52) is associated with the sheet material of at least one of the first and second coupling portion (130, 140), optionally said tamper-evident coating (52) at least partly covers an external surface of the sheet material of at least one of the first and second coupling portion (130, 140).

In a 4th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the first coupling portion (130) defines a first hooking portion (13) while the second coupling portion (140) defines a second hooking portion (14), wherein said first and second hooking portion (13, 14), in the priming condition, are engaged with each other.

In a 5th aspect according to the preceding aspect, at least one among said first and second hooking (13, 14), includes a removable portion (15) configured to be separated from the coupling system (1) following the application of a stress adapted to separate said first and second hooking portion (13, 14) when in said priming condition.

In a 6th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the tamper-evident coating (52) is applied superficially on at least one part of the sheet of at least one between the first and the second coupling portion (130, 140).

In a 7th aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 6th, the tamper-evident coating (52) is applied to at least a part of the sheet of at least one between the first and second hooking portion (13, 14), facing—in the priming condition of the coupling system (1)—towards the second base portion (12).

In an 8th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the tamper-evident coating (52) covers, optionally entirely, the first coupling portion (130), optionally the first hooking portion (13), on one side facing, in the priming condition of the coupling system (1), towards the second base portion (12).

In a 9th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the tamper-evident coating (52) covers, optionally entirely, the second coupling portion (140), optionally the second hooking portion (14), on one side facing, in the priming condition of the coupling system (1), towards the second base portion (12).

In a 10th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the tamper-evident coating (52) includes:

-   -   a support substrate (52 a) constrained directly to the sheet         material of at least one between the first and the second         coupling portion (130, 140), optionally constrained directly to         the sheet material of at least one among the first and the         second hooking portion (13, 14),     -   a removable layer (52 b) superimposed to the support substrate         (52) so that said support substrate (52 a) is interposed between         the removable layer (52 b) and the sheet material to which the         support layer (52 a) is constrained directly.

In an 11th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the support layer (52 a) is configured to generate an adhesion force with the sheet material of at least one between the first and second coupling portion (130, 140) greater than the adhesion force generated with the removable layer (52 b), optionally the support layer (52 a) is configured to generate an adhesion force with the sheet material of at least one between the first and second hooking portion (13, 14) greater than the adhesion force with the removable layer (52 b).

In a 12th aspect according to the 10th or 11th aspect, the removable layer (52 b) has a different colouration than the colouration of the support layer (52 a), optionally different from the color of the sheet material to which the support layer (52 a) is directly constrained.

In a 13th aspect according to any one of the aspects 10th to 12th, the tamper-evident coating (52), following a scraping stress of at least part of the removable layer (52 b), is configured to generate a change of colouration of the coating (52) representing an attempt to tamper with the coupling system (1).

In a 14th aspect according to any one of the aspects 10th to 13th, the support substrate (52 a) includes a paint.

In a 15th aspect according to the preceding aspect, said paint of the support substrate includes at least one filmogenous polymer or monomers and/or precursor oligomers thereof.

In a 16th aspect according to the preceding aspect, said monomers and/or oligomers of the support substrate are configured to give rise to the filmogenous polymer by cross-linking following the irradiation thereof with a UV light.

In a 17th aspect according to any one of the aspects 14th to 16th, said paint includes a mixture of filmogenous polymers.

In an 18th aspect according to any one of the aspects 14th to 17th, said paint includes at least one silicone resin and at least one polymer selected from acrylic resins, alkyd resins, polyester resins, vinyl resins and phenolic resins.

In a 19th aspect according to the preceding aspect, said polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.

In a 20th aspect according to the 18th or 19th aspect, said polymer is selected from acrylic, alkyd, polyester, vinyl, phenolic and silicone resins.

In a 21st aspect according to any one of the aspects 10th to 20th, the removable layer (52 b) includes an ink.

In a 22nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the ink includes at least one filmogenous polymer or monomers and/or precursor oligomers thereof and a pigment.

In a 23rd aspect according to the 21st or 22nd aspect, the ink includes monomers and/or precursor oligomers of the filmogenous polymer.

In a 24th aspect according to the preceding aspect, said monomers and/or oligomers are configured to give rise to a thermoplastic polymer by cross-linking following the irradiation thereof with a UV light.

In a 25th aspect according to any one of the aspects 22nd to 24th, said pigment is a metallic pigment, optionally including aluminum powder.

In a 26th aspect according to any one of the aspects 22nd to 25th, said filmogenous polymer is a thermoplastic polymer, optionally an acrylic resin.

In a 27th aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 26th, the second hooking portion (14) includes at least one hook (22) defining at least one undercut portion delimited by a gripping edge (22 a).

In a 28th aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 27th, the first hooking portion (13) includes at least one respective hook (23) defining at least one undercut portion delimited by a respective gripping edge (23 a), the hooks (22, 23) of the first and second hooking portions (13, 14), being configured for stably engaging with each other during the priming condition.

In a 29th aspect according to the preceding aspect, said hooks (22, 23), in the priming condition, have respective concavities facing each other.

In a 30th aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 29th, the first hooking portion (13) includes at least one pair of undercut portions delimited by a respective pair of gripping edges (23 a) and defining two respective hooks (23), said hooks (23) of the first hooking portion (13)—under the priming condition—being configured for engaging with the second hooking portion, optionally with the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14).

In a 31st aspect according to any one of the aspects 27th to 30th, the second hooking portion (14) includes a single undercut portion to define a single hook (22).

In a 32nd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the tamper-evident coating (52) superficially covers at least partly at least one between the first and the second coupling portion (130, 140), optionally the first and the second hooking portion (13, 14), on the side facing, in the priming condition of the coupling system (1), towards the second base portion (12).

In a 33rd aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 32nd aspect, the tamper-evident coating (52) covers, on the side facing the second base portion, the sheet material of the first hooking portion (13).

In a 34th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the ratio between the surface extension of the tamper-evident coating (52) applied on said first hooking portion (13) and the overall extension of the surface of the first hooking portion (13) on which said coating (52) is applied is greater than 0.1, optionally it is equal to or between 0.2 and 1.

In a 35th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the tamper-evident coating (52) covers, on the side facing the second base portion (12), said second coupling portion (140), optionally the sheet material of the second hooking portion (14).

In a 36th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the ratio between the surface extension of the tamper-evident coating (52) applied on the second hooking portion (14) and the overall extension of the surface of the second hooking portion (14) on which said coating is applied is greater than 0.1, optionally it is equal to or between 0.2 and 1.

In a 37th aspect according to any one of the aspects 28th to 36th, the tamper-evident coating (52) covers the hook (23) of the first hooking portion (13), optionally entirely covers the sheet material defining said hook (23) of the first hooking portion (13).

In a 38th aspect according to any one of the aspects 27th to 37th, the second hooking portion (14) includes a base body (25) which directly carries the hook (22) of the same second hooking portion (14).

In a 39th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) is movable by rotation with respect to the base body (25).

In a 40th aspect according to the 38th or 39th aspect, the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) is movable by rotation with respect to the base body (25) at least between:

-   -   a first operative position in which said hook (22) extends in         prolongation and parallel to the base body (25) of the second         hooking portion (14), said hook—in the first operative         position—being faced and arranged parallel to the second base         portion (12), and     -   a second operative position in which said hook (22) is arranged         transversely with respect to the base body (25) of the second         hooking portion (14) and with respect to the second base portion         (12).

In a 41st aspect according to any one of the aspects 38th to 40th, the hook (22) and the base body (25) of the second hooking portion (14) delimit an opening (14 a) configured to allow the through-passing of the first hooking portion (13) and the engagement of the hook (23) thereof with the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (22) for defining the priming condition.

In a 42nd aspect according to the aspect 40th or 41st, the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14), in the second operative position, delimits said opening (14 a) configured to allow the through-passing of the first hooking portion (13).

In a 43rd aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 42nd, the second hooking portion (14), in the priming condition of the coupling system (1), is at least partly interposed between the second base portion (12) and the first hooking portion (13).

In a 44th aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 43rd, the tamper-evident coating (52) is applied superficially to the sheet material of the second hooking portion (14) on one side facing, in the priming condition, towards the second base portion (12).

In a 45th aspect according to any one of the aspects 27th to 44th, the tamper-evident covering (52) covers, optionally entirely, the hook (22) of said second hooking portion on a side facing, in the priming condition of the coupling system (1), towards the second base portion (12).

In a 46th aspect according to any one of the aspects 5th to 45th, the removable portion (15) is defined by at least one part of the second hooking portion (14), optionally the removable portion (15) is defined by the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14).

In a 47th aspect according to any one of the aspects 27th to 46th, the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) is constrained to the base body (25) by means of a weakening element (26) in such a way that said hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) can define said removable portion (15).

In a 48th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the weakening portion (26) is configured to allow the separation of the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) from the base body (25) following the application of a stress capable of separating said first and second hooking portion (13, 14), when engaged with each other in the priming condition.

In a 49th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the coupling system (1) includes a through opening (28) defined on the first base portion (11) which is configured—under the priming condition—for enabling the display of the removable portion (15).

In a 50th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the coupling system (1) includes a recess (29) defined on the second base portion (12) which is configured—under the priming condition—for enabling the display of the removable portion (15).

In a 51st aspect according to any one of the aspects 4th to 50th, the second base portion (12) is joined in a single piece to the second hooking portion (14).

In a 52nd aspect according to any one of the aspects 46th to 51st, the weakening element (26) includes at least one selected from: one or more cuts passing through the sheet material, an incision of the sheet material, a local squashing of the sheet material.

In a 53rd aspect according to any one of the aspects 49th to 52nd, the removable portion (15) defined by the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) includes a projection (30) configured to cross, in the priming condition, at least in part the through opening (28) defined on the first base portion (11).

In a 54th aspect, a tamper-evident container (100) is provided, including:

-   -   at least one storage (2), optionally made of sheet material         defining an internal volume (3) and configured to house         products, said storage (2) having a predetermined number of         lateral walls (4) defining at least one passage opening (5)         delimited by a free edge (6), said passage opening (5) being         configured to place the internal volume (3) of the storage (2)         in communication with the external environment,     -   at least one coupling system (1) according to any one of the         preceding aspects.

In a 55th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the first base portion (11) is constrained by rotation to the free edge (6) of the storage (2), the first coupling portion (130), optionally the first hooking portion (13) is carried by the first base portion (11) so that the latter is interposed between the free edge (6) of the storage (2) and the first coupling portion (130), optionally between the free edge (6) of the storage (2) and the first hooking portion (13).

In a 56th aspect according to the 54th or 55th aspect, the first base portion (11) and the first coupling portion (130) are moveable, optionally by rotation, relative to the storage (2), and they are configured to define at least one closing condition of the container (1) in which at least part of the first base portion (11) prevents the communication between the internal volume (3) of the storage (2) and the external environment, the first base portion (11) and the first hooking portion (13) are further configured to define an opening condition in which the latter allow communication between the internal volume (3) and the external environment.

In a 57th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 56th, the second base portion (12) of the coupling system (1) defines at least part of a lateral wall (4) of the storage (2), optionally the second coupling portion (140) is at least partly arranged in the internal volume (3) of said storage (2).

In a 58th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 57th, the first and the second coupling portion (130, 140), during a condition of first closure of the container, are configured to be engaged to define said priming condition of the coupling system (1).

In a 59th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 58th, the tamper-evident coating (52) is associated with at least one of the first and second coupling portion (130, 140), optionally at least one between the first and second hooking portion (13, 14), facing the outside of the container (1).

In a 60th aspect according to any one of the aspects 43rd to 59th, the removable portion (15), during a condition of first opening of the container (100) subsequent to the priming condition, is configured to separate from the coupling system (1) to give evidence of the opening of the container (100).

In a 61st aspect according to any one of the aspects 43rd to 60th, the first hooking portion (13) is carried by the first base portion (11) so that the latter is interposed, in the priming condition of the coupling system (1) and therefore during the first closure condition of the container (100), between the free edge (6) of the storage (2) and the first hooking portion (13).

In a 62nd aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 61st, the base body (25) and the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) are internally arranged in the internal volume (3) of the storage (2).

In a 63rd aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 62nd, the first hooking portion (13) of the coupling system (1), in the condition of first closure of the container, being arranged entirely in the storage of the container engaged to the second hooking portion (14).

In a 64th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 63rd, the first base portion (11) includes:

-   -   a closing portion (7) directly engaged with the free edge (6) of         the storage (2) and moveable, optionally by rotation, with         respect to the latter,     -   at least one inserting portion (8) configured for being         inserted, in the closed position, in the internal volume (3) of         the storage (2),

the first hooking portion (13) extending in prolongation of the inserting portion (8) on the opposite side with respect to the storage (2),

wherein, in the closed condition of the container, the closing portion (7) of said base portion (11) occludes at least in part the passage opening (5) of the storage (2).

In a 65th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 64th, the second hooking portion (14) develops substantially parallel with respect to a lateral wall (4) of the container (1), optionally develops parallel to the lateral wall (4) of the storage (2) opposite to the lateral wall directly constrained to the first base portion (11).

In a 66th aspect according to any one of the aspects 55th to 65th, the gripping edge (22 a) delimiting the undercut portion of the hook (22) of the second hooking portion (14) is, at least in the priming condition, spaced from the free edge (6) of the storage (2), optionally housed internally in the internal volume of the storage (2).

In a 67th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 66th, the through opening (28) is defined on the closing portion (7) and/or on the inserting portion (8), said through opening (28) being configured for arrange, at least in the condition of first closure of the container, at the removable portion (15).

In a 68th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 67th, the through opening (28), following the priming condition of the coupling system (1) and before the first opening condition, is adapted to allow the passage of the a projection (30) of the removable portion (15) and thus the exit of the projection itself from the storage (2).

In a 69th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 68th, the through opening (28) is defined, without interruption, at least partly on the closing portion (7) and at least partly on the inserting portion (8).

In a 70th aspect according to any one of the aspects 54th to 69th, the recess (29) is defined on a lateral wall (4) of the storage (2), optionally the recess (29) is defined on the lateral wall (4) of the container (1) directly engaged with and facing the second hooking portion (14).

In a 71st aspect is provided a process of making a coupling system according to any one of the aspects 1st to 53rd, said process including the following steps:

-   -   providing a first flat sheet (51),     -   cutting said first flat sheet (51) to define the first base         portion (11), optionally the first hooking portion (13),     -   providing a second flat sheet (53),     -   cutting said second sheet (53) to define the second base portion         (12), optionally the second hooking portion (14),     -   applying the tamper-evident coating (52) on at least one between         the first and second coupling portion (130, 140), optionally on         at least one between the first and second hooking portion (13,         14).

In a 72nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the process further includes a step of preparing the removable portion (15).

In a 73rd aspect according to the 71st or 72nd aspect, the cutting step of the second sheet (53) defines a first portion and a second portion (53 a, 53 b) thereon,

the process, following the cutting step of the second sheet, including the following steps:

-   -   folding the second portion (53 b) of the second sheet over the         first portion so that the latter can define the second base         portion (12) while the first portion (53 a) of the second sheet         (53) can define the second hooking portion (14),     -   constraining, optionally by gluing, the second portion (53 b) to         the second base portion (12).

In a 74th aspect according to any one of the aspects 71st to 73rd, the process includes the following sub-steps:

-   -   applying in direct contact with said at least one between said         first and second coupling portion, optionally at least one         between said first and second hooking portion (13, 14), a         support substrate (52 a),     -   applying a removable layer (52 b) on said support substrate (52         a).

In a 75th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the step of applying the support substrate occurs by means of at least one of the following processes: digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, flexopress printing, planographic printing, ink jet printing.

In a 76th aspect according to the 74th or 75th aspect, the step of applying the removable layer on the support substrate occurs by means of at least one of the following processes: digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, flexopress printing, planographic printing, ink jet printing.

In a 77th aspect according to any one of the aspects 72nd to 76th, the step of preparing said removable portion (15) includes a step of preparing a weakening element (26) at least between:

-   -   the first base portion (11) and the first hooking portion (13),         and     -   the second base portion (12) and the second hooking portion         (14).

In a 78th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the step of preparing the weakening element (26) provides at least one of the following processing of the sheet material: cutting by punching, cutting by die cutting, cutting by engraving, cutting by shearing, laser cutting, thickness reduction by crushing.

In a 79th aspect according to any one of the aspects 71st to 78th, the step of cutting the first and/or second sheet includes at least one operation between the following processes: punching, die-cutting, engraving, shearing, laser cutting.

In an 80th aspect according to any one of the aspects 71st to 79th, the first and the second sheet (51, 53) are made of paper sheet material.

In an 81st aspect, a process is provided for making a container (100) according to any one of the aspects 54th to 70th, said process including at least the following steps:

-   -   preparing the storage (2),     -   preparing the coupling system (1) so that:         -   the first base portion (11) and the first hooking portion             (13) are borne by the free edge (6) of the storage (2) and             are movable by rotation with respect to the latter,         -   the second base portion (12) defines at least part of a             lateral wall (4) of the storage,         -   the second hooking portion (14) is arranged at least partly             in the internal volume (3) of the storage (2).

In an 82nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the step of arranging the storage (2) includes at least the following sub-steps:

-   -   arranging a third sheet (56) including at least one first and         one second portion (57, 59) interconnected by a central         connecting portion (58), said third sheet (56) further including         at least one first and one second lateral connecting portion         (60, 61), said central connecting portion (58) being interposed         between the first and the second portion (57, 59), the first         portion (57) being interposed between the first lateral         connecting portion (61) and the central connecting portion (58),         the second portion (59) being interposed between the second         lateral connecting portion (60) and the central connecting         portion (58), each of said portions (57, 58, 59, 60, 61)         including at least two opposite longitudinal edges and two         opposite end edges, said first and second portions (57, 59),         central connecting portion (58) and said lateral connecting         portions (60, 61) being joined along the longitudinal edges and         aligned along a single connection direction,     -   folding said third sheet (56), joining said lateral connecting         portions (60, 61), to form the storage (2) exhibiting the         passage opening (5) delimited by the free edge (6).

In an 83rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the second sheet (53) defining the second base portion (12) of the coupling system (1) is joined in a single piece to form a single body with the first portion (57) of the third sheet (56).

In an 84th aspect according to the 82nd or 83rd aspect, the first sheet (51) defining the first base portion (11) of the coupling system (1) is joined in a single piece to form a single body with the second portion (59) of the third sheet (56), optionally said first sheet (51) emerges from the longitudinal edges of the third sheet (56).

In an 85th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects 81st to 84th, the process for making the coupling system (1) is according to any one of the aspects 70th to 79th.

In an 86th aspect is provided a use of a coupling system (1) according to any one of the aspects from 1st to 53rd is provided for defining at least one selected from the group of: a container for containing one or more products, an envelope for containing one or more products, a wrapping band of one or more products.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limiting purposes, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show different embodiments of a coupling system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a coupling system according to the present disclosure in a condition of first priming;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show respective precursor sheets for making a part of the coupling system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of a container according to the present disclosure arranged in a first closing step;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of a container according to the present disclosure arranged in a condition of first closure or priming;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respective detailed sectional views of a container 1 according to the present disclosure during a first closing step and during a priming condition;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of an embodiment of a container according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a further embodiment of a container according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container according to the present disclosure in a priming condition;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view, taken along the line XVI-XVI, of the container in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a container according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view, taken along the line XVIII-XVIII, of the container in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows an attempt to tamper with a coupling system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a coupling system according to the present disclosure after a tampering attempt;

FIGS. 21 to 23 are schematic sectional views of a portion of the coupling system and of a tamper-evident coating according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a front view of a blank of a container having a coupling system according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. The figures may illustrate the object of the disclosure by representations that are not in scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures relating to the object of the disclosure may relate solely to schematic representations.

By the term product it is instead meant an article or a mixture of articles of any kind. The term product may also mean a package, for example, bearing a plurality of items.

The term paper material means paper or cardboard, for example having at least 50% by weight, optionally at least 70% by weight, of organic material including one or more of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, lignin derivatives. The paper material may be in sheet material having a basis weight of between 100 and 500 g/m². The paper sheet material may be at least partly covered by a plastic coating, for example a film, the purpose whereof is to: reinforce the paper sheet material, define a barrier to water and/or moisture. The coating may have a variable thickness of between 10 and 50 μm and may be made with one or more of the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

With reference to the present disclosure, the term blank refers to a flat semi-finished product in sheet material, for example made of paper sheet material, which can be folded onto itself to make a container. The blank may be in single piece and may be obtained by cutting a single sheet.

The term sheet material means a material that has two dimensions, for example the length and the width, significantly greater than a third dimension such as the thickness, for example.

The term adhesion means the physical attraction or joining of two materials of different nature placed in contact. Adhesion describes the fixing strength to a surface.

The term scraping stress means a mechanical stress including at least one between a tangential and a normal component applied superficially on a body, in the case of the present disclosure applied on the tamper-evident coating.

Coupling System 1

Reference numeral 1 overall indicates a tamper-evident coupling system of sheet material, for example, of paper material, associable to packages of various kinds—for example, containers, envelopes or bands also made of sheet material—for the containment and/or wrapping of products.

The coupling system 1 includes a first base portion 11 made of sheet material and stably carrying, in a configuration of the system 1, a first hooking portion 13. The first hooking portion 13 is engaged at an end portion of the first base portion 11: such portions 11 and 13 are reciprocally engaged to essentially define a single peripheral edge. The first hooking portion 13 is joined in a single piece to the first base portion 11 to define a single body; in detail, the first hooking portion 13 is made of sheet material (the same sheet of the first base portion 11) and extends in prolongation of the first base portion 11. The first hooking portion 13 may have a substantially arrow or trapezoidal shape as shown in the accompanying figures. The possibility of manufacturing a first hooking portion 13 exhibiting a different shape, for example triangular or rectangular, is not excluded.

As seen, for example, in FIGS. 1-4, the first hooking portion 13 includes at least one hook 23 defining at least an undercut portion delimited by a respective gripping edge 23 a. In one embodiment, the first hooking portion 13 may include two respective hooks 23, symmetric to each other with respect to an axis passing by the centerline of the first hooking portion 13. In such an embodiment, the two respective hooks 23 define two gripping edges 23 a.

The coupling system 1 may include at least one through opening 28 defined on the first base portion 11 and/or on the first hooking portion 13 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the accompanying figures, the through opening 28 is shown, in a non-limiting manner, at a joining edge between the first base portion 11 and the first hooking portion 13. The functionality of said through opening 28 will be better explained below.

The coupling system 1 further includes a second base portion 12 made of sheet material, optionally paper, which may stably carry—in a configuration of the system 1—a second hooking portion 14. The second hooking portion 14 is also made of sheet material, optionally paper, engaged at an end portion of the second base portion 12. In detail, the second hooking portion 14 is joined in a single piece to the second base portion to define a single body: the second hooking portion 14 and the second base portion are made with a single sheet, optionally in paper material.

In a configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and in detail in the sections of FIGS. 9 and 10, the second base portion 12 faces and at least partly comes into contact with the second hooking portion 14; the second hooking portion 14 is joined in a single piece to an end portion of the second base portion 12 and folded over the latter so that said second hooking portion 14 faces the second base portion 12. In detail, the second hooking portion 14 includes a base body 25 including a mutual coupling portion superimposed and permanently constrained to a respective mutual coupling portion of the second base portion 12: such portions are in direct contact and stably connected to each other by means of adhesive portions, for example glue. The base body 25 directly carries at least one hook 22 extending in prolongation of the base body 25: the hook 22 and the base body 25 of the second hooking portion 14 are joined in a single piece to form a single body in sheet material, optionally paper.

The hook 22, unlike the base body 25, is movable, optionally by rotation, relative to the second base portion 12. In fact, the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 is constrained to the second base portion 12 exclusively by means of the base body 25 of the second hooking portion 14. Due to the absence of a direct constraint with the second base portion 12, the hook 22 is moveable relative to said base portion 12 at least between:

-   -   a first operative position, in which said hook 22 extends in         prolongation and parallel to the base body 25 of the second         hooking portion 14. The hook 22, in the first operative         position, is facing and arranged parallel to the second base         portion 12; and     -   a second operative position in which the hook 22 is inclined         with respect to the base body 25 of the second hooking portion         14 and with respect to the second base portion 12.

In detail, the hook 22 has a substantially “C” or “V” shape defining at least one undercut portion delimited by a gripping edge 22 a, the latter having a substantially “V” shape, optionally a “C” shape the concavity whereof faces the base body 25.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the hook 22 and the base body 25 of the second hooking portion 14 cooperate with each other to delimit an opening 14 a configured to allow the through-passing of the first hooking portion 13 to allow the engagement thereof with the second hooking portion 14, as will be better described below. In particular, the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 delimits said opening 14 a when arranged in the second operative position; in greater detail, such an opening 14 a is delimited by the gripping edge 22 a of the hook 22 in cooperation with a peripheral edge of the gripping body.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second hooking portion 14 may include at least one projection 30 configured to pass, in the priming condition of the system, through the opening 28 to allow tactile perception thereof In particular, the projection 30 is carried in a single piece by the hook 22 and extends on the opposite side with respect to the base portion 25; the projection 30 is made of sheet material, optionally paper, and has a substantially triangular shape, optionally having a trapezoidal, rectangular or semicircular shape. As described above, the second hooking portion 14, in the priming condition, faces at least in part the first hooking portion 13; in particular, the hook 22, in the priming condition, is placed side by side with the first base portion 11: the projection 30 carried by said hook 22 is configured to pass through said through opening 28, in the priming condition of the system 1, so that the same may project and be perceptible to the touch from the first base portion 11.

The hooks 23, 22 of the first and second hooking portion 13, 14, are configured to firmly engage with each other to define a priming condition of the coupling system 1: the hooks 22, 23—during the priming condition—have respective concavities facing each other. In greater detail, the gripping edge 22 a of the hook 22 and the respective gripping edges 23 a of the respective hook 23 are configured for stably engaging with each other during said priming condition.

The coupling step of the hooks takes place by means of an initial contact condition between the first and second hooking portion 13, 14; in particular, the first hooking portion 13 is inserted in interposition between the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 and the second base portion 12: in this condition, the first hooking portion 13 is made to slide onto the hook 22. Thereafter, the first hooking portion 13 is pressed through the opening 14 a below the second hooking portion 14 so that the hook 23 (optionally the hooks 23) couples with the hook 22 defining the priming condition. In the priming condition, the first and the second hooking portion 13, 14 are substantially aligned along a coupling direction (see for example FIGS. 8 and 10): at least the first base portion 11 carrying the first hooking portion 13 is directly interposed between the second base portion 12 and the hook 22.

The coupling system 1 may furthermore include at least one recess 29 defined on the second base portion 12 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 19 and 20. The recess 29 may define an open perimeter profile like the one illustrated in the accompanying figures having a “C”, “U”, or “V” shape. Such a recess 29 is placed at a peripheral edge of the second base portion 12 to define a part of the peripheral edge of the second base portion 12 at the end portion of the latter portion 12 carrying the second hooking portion 14. Alternatively, the recess 29 may define a through opening defined on the second base portion 12 having a closed peripheral profile, spaced from an outer peripheral edge of the second base portion 12. In fact, the recess 29 represents a through opening facing the second hooking portion 14 and configured to allow at least the hook 22 to be displayed.

The coupling system 1 may include at least one removable portion 15 of sheet material borne by at least one between the first and the second hooking portions 13, 14; the removable portion 15 is configured for separating from the coupling system 1 upon a first disengagement condition between the first and second hooking portions 13, 14 following the priming condition. The separation of the removable portion 15 determines the impossibility of a following engagement between the first and second hooking portions 13, 14, so as to show a tampering of the coupling system 1. In other words, a possible attempt to open or tamper with the coupling system 1, following the priming condition of said system 1, would determine the breaking and therefore the detachment of the removable portion 15 from the coupling system 1 itself. Thereby, by virtue of the removable portion 15, it is possible to highlight the tampering of the coupling system 1 and inhibit a following anchoring between the first and the second hooking portions 13, 14.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7, 13-17, the removable portion 15 is borne by the second hooking portion 14. In greater detail, the removable portion 15 is defined by the hook 22 and by the gripping edge 22 a of the second hooking portion 14. In said configuration, the second hooking portion 14 includes a weakening element 26 which delimits the hook 22 and defines the removable portion 15. In greater detail, the second hooking portion 14 has the weakening element 26 placed between the base body 25 and the hook 22, in particular at the connecting edge 21 between the hook 22 and the base body 25 of the second hooking portion. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the removable portion 15 defined by the hook 22 exhibits two weakening elements 26. The weakening element 26 of the removable portion 15 enables the separation of the removable portion 15 from the base body 25 of the second hooking portion 14 during a first opening attempt of the coupling system 1 upon the priming condition, so as to highlight the tampering thereof and impede a following priming condition. FIGS. 16 and 17 show a configuration of the coupling system 1 in which the second hooking portion 14, in particular the hook 22, extends in prolongation of the second base portion 12.

The removable portion 15 defined by the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 may exhibit a projection 30, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, configured for allowing the user a tactile perception of the removable portion 15 itself. The projection 30 is made of sheet material and exhibits a substantially triangular shape, optionally it exhibits a trapezoidal, rectangular or semi-circular shape. The accompanying figures show a removable portion 15 having a single projection 30 having a triangular shape. In a further embodiment, the removable portion 15 may have two or more projections 30. The projection 30 of the removable portion 15 enables visually-impaired users to verify the presence of the removable portion 15 by means of a tactile perception thereof and therefore to verify the integrity or the tampering of the coupling system 1. In particular, in the priming condition of the coupling system 1, the through opening 28 allows the passage of the projection 30 of the removable portion 15 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so as to allow the tactile perception thereof by the user.

In a further embodiment, the removable portion 15 is defined by at least one part of the first hooking portion 13, in particular the removable portion 15 is defined by the respective hook 23 of the first hooking portion 13. In greater detail and according to a preferred embodiment, the removable portion 15 is defined by two respective hooks 23 of the first hooking portion 13. In this latter configuration shown in FIG. 1, the first hooking portion 13 includes a weakening element 26 which delimits the respective hook 23 and defines the removable portion 15. In particular, the first hooking portion 13 has a weakening element 26 between a base body 27 of the base portion 11 and the respective hook 23 so that the latter can define the removable portion 15. The weakening element 26 of the first or second hooking portion 13, 14 may by defined by one or more cuts passing through the sheet material, an incision of the sheet material, a local squashing of the sheet material. The weakening element 26 enables the separation of the removable portion 15 from the coupling system 1, allowing the tampering to be shown following a first priming condition of the coupling system 1 itself.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the hooks 23, 22 are joined in a single piece to the first and to the second hooking portion 13, 14 respectively to define, when the coupling system is in the priming condition, a definitive hooking. In said further embodiment, the coupling system 1 is therefore configured to inhibit the separation of the first and second hooking portion 13, 14 following a first priming condition.

As described above, the coupling system 1 has at least one recess 29 defined at least on the second base portion 12 which is configured to allow the display of the removable portion 15; in case of tearing/breaking of the removable portion 15, the user can check, through the recess 29, the absence of this removable portion 15 so as to determine a first opening of the coupling system and consequently a possible attempt to tamper therewith.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the coupling system 1 further includes a tamper-evident coating 52 associated with the sheet material of at least one of the first and second hooking portion 13, 14; the coating 52 defines at least part of an external surface of at least one between the first and second hooking portion 13, 14 facing, in the priming condition of the coupling system 1, towards the second base portion 12. The coating 52 is configured for visually signaling, following a scraping stress of the coating itself, an attempt to tamper of the coupling system 1. For example, the coating may be configured to be damaged in the event of contact with an external body with respect to the coupling system 1.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show, by way of example, a coupling system 1 associated with a container 100. FIG. 19 schematically shows the tampering step of the coupling system 1 which allows it to be traced by means of the coating 52 which, as shown in FIG. 20, is configured for visually signaling (for example due to damage thereof) such a tampering.

The tamper-evident coating 52 may include:

-   -   a support substrate 52 a directly constrained to the sheet         material of at least one between the first and the second         hooking portion 13, 14;     -   a removable layer 52 b superimposed to the support substrate 52         so that said support substrate 52 a is interposed between the         removable layer 52 b and the sheet material to which the support         layer 52 a is constrained directly.

The support layer 52 a is configured to generate an adhesion with the sheet material of at least one between the first and the second hooking portion 13, 14 greater than the adhesion of the same substrate with the removable layer 52 b. The removable layer 52 b has a different colouration with respect to the colouration of the support layer 52 a, optionally of the color of the sheet material to which the support layer 52 a is constrained directly, so that the coating 52, following the removal of at least part of the removable layer 52 b of the support layer 52 a may generate a visual signal representative of an attempt to tamper with the coupling system 1. For example, the removable layer 52 b may be gray in color while the support substrate 52 a and the material in direct contact with said substrate may have a transparent and white color, respectively: damage to the removable layer would be shown by the white color of the sheet material of the first and/or second hooking portion 13, 14 to which the coating 52 is associated, as shown in FIG. 20.

In one configuration, a symbol (image and/or word) is printed on the first and/or second hooking portion 13, 14, adapted to indicate tampering with the coupling system; the coating 52 may be placed to cover said symbol: damage to the coating 52 would lead to the uncovering of the symbol with consequent signaling of the attempted tampering with the coupling system 1.

The accompanying figures show a tamper-evident coating 52 applied superficially to the sheet material on the first and second hooking portions 13 and 14 on one side facing, in the priming condition of the system, towards the second base portion 12. The possibility of superficially applying the coating 52 only on the first hooking portion 13 or only on the second hooking portion 14 is not excluded. In detail, the support substrate 52 a may be a paint including at least one filmogenous polymer; the filmogenous polymer may be a thermoplastic polymer, optionally selected from: acrylic, alkyd, polyester, vinyl, phenolic and silicone resins.

The paint may further include a mixture of filmogenous polymers, preferably including at least one silicone resin and at least one polymer selected from acrylic resins, alkyd resins, polyester resins, vinyl resins and phenolic resins. The removable layer 52 b may instead include an ink including at least one filmogenous polymer and a pigment. For example, the ink may include monomers and/or precursor oligomers of the filmogenous polymer, giving rise to the thermoplastic polymer by cross-linking following irradiation thereof with a UV light. The filmogenous polymer may include a thermoplastic polymer, for example an acrylic resin. The pigment may include a metallic pigment, for example it is aluminum powder.

In fact, in the case in which attempts were made to normally open the coupling system 1 by applying a force capable of separating the first and second hooking portion, when in the priming condition, there would be the separation of the removable portion 15 through which the user could easily verify the first opening of the system 1 and therefore any attempt to tamper with the coupling system. In case of an attempt to tamper with the coupling between the hooking portions 13, 14, for example by means of a tool, this would surely cause visible damage to the coating 52 which, even without breaking the removable portion 15, would indicate an attempt to tamper with the coupling system 1. In fact, the presence of a double tamper-proof safety makes the coupling system extremely safe and effective.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the recess 29 is delimited by a cutting edge defined on the second base portion 12 on which it defines a depression. In a preferential embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the depression defined by the recess 29 includes at least a first and at least a second depression 29 a, 29 b. The first depression 29 a allows the display, in particular according to a frontal perspective to the first base portion 12, of the first hooking portion 13 and of the tamper-evident coating 52 arranged on the first hooking portion 13. The first depression 29 a faces, at least in the priming condition of the coupling system 1, the first hooking portion 13. Optionally, in the case in which the first hooking portion defines the removable portion 15, the first depression 29 a faces, at least in the priming condition of the coupling system 1, the removable portion 15. The second depression 29 b allows the display of at least part of the second hooking portion 14, in particular of at least part of the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14. If the hook 22 has weakening elements 26, the second depression 29 b also allows the display of at least one weakening element 26. In greater detail, the second depression 29 b enables the display of the weakening element 26 and at least part of the removable portion 15 defined by the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14, at least in the priming condition of the coupling system 1. The second depression 29 b also allows the display of the tamper-evident coating 52 carried by the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14, so as to highlight a possible tampering with the coupling system 1. FIG. 18 instead shows a section of the coupling system 1 of FIG. 17, in a first priming condition.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second hooking portion 14 extends in prolongation of the second base portion 12. In particular, the second hooking portion 14 extends in prolongation from a peripheral edge 12 a of the second base portion 1, wherein the peripheral edge 12 a of the second base portion 12 is defined at an end portion of the second base portion 12 itself. Consequently, the second hooking portion 14 is not facing any surface of the second base portion 12: The second hooking portion 14, at least before the priming condition, is movable by rotation with respect to the second base portion 12, in particular around the peripheral edge 12 a of the second base portion 12, from which the second hooking portion 14 extends as a prolongation. In this configuration, the recess 29 is delimited by a cutting edge 36 defined by the peripheral edge 12 a of the second base portion 12 and delimiting a depression of the second base portion 12, inside which the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 is at least partly arranged. The hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 is at least partially countershaped to the depression defined by the recess 29 on the second base portion 12. The hook 22 is engaged to at least part of the depression defined by the recess 29, in particular the hook 22 is engaged to at least part of the cutting edge 36 of the recess 29 by a leading edge. More in detail, the hook 22 is engaged with at least part of the cutting edge 36 of the recess 29 by means of the two attachment edges of the hook 22. The hook 22 is also movable by rotation, as described above, with respect to the leading edge and therefore also with respect to at least part of the cutting edge of the recess 29. The cutting edge 36 of the recess 29 defines, cooperatively with the gripping edge 22 a of the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14, the aperture 14 a adapted to receive in insertion the first hooking portion 13.

FIG. 15 shows the coupling system 1 in a priming condition, in which at least part of the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14 is visible through a display opening defined by the hook 23 of the first hooking portion and an gripping edge of the hook 22 of the second hooking portion 14. In greater detail, the display opening allows the display of the second hooking portion 14, and optionally of at least one weakening element 26 carrying the second hooking portion 14, with respect to a front view of the second base portion 12 and at least during the condition of first priming of the coupling system 1. As described with respect to the above embodiments, the first and/or second hooking portion may have the tamper-evident coating 52 on a surface thereof: the display opening is therefore configured to allow the display of said coating 52 with respect to a front view of the second base portion 12. FIG. 16 instead shows a sectional view of the coupling system shown in FIG. 15, in a first priming condition.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, in which the coupling system 1 includes a first and a second hooking portion 13, 14.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the coupling system 1 includes a first and a second coupling portion 130, 140 respectively carried by the first and second base portion 11, 12; the coupling portions 130, 140 are configured to cooperate with each other and define a constraint and therefore the engagement between the first and second base portions 11, 12; for example, the first and second coupling portion 130, 140 may include tabs constrained to each other by gluing. Alternatively, the coupling portions 130, 140 may include tabs suitably shaped to allow

-   -   following a priming condition—a stable engagement between said         mechanical coupling portions 130, 140 and consequently between         said first and second base portion 11, 12.

In fact, the first and second coupling portions 130, 140 may define alternative elements to the first and second hooking portion 13, 14 but equally adapted to be stably connected to each other during a priming condition of the coupling system 1. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the first and second coupling portion 130, 140 of the coupling system 1 have been illustrated, in a non-limiting manner, in association with a container 100.

The first and/or second coupling portion 130, 140 include the tamper-evident coating 52 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and of the type described above, thereby defining a tamper-evident coupling system 1. In fact, in the case in which it is desired to try to release these coupling portions 130, 140 (as described above mechanically or by gluing), for example by means of a tool (such as a cutter, for example), the tamper-evident coating 52 would be damaged, with possibility for the user to check the attempted tampering with the coupling system 1.

Process of Making the Coupling System 1

The present disclosure also relates to a method of making a coupling system 1 according to the above description and/or according to any one of the appended claims.

The process includes the preparation of a first flat sheet 51, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 24, and the cutting thereof to define, in a single step, the first base portion 11, the first hooking portion 13 and the through opening 28. The first sheet is made of sheet material, for example paper, and is cut by at least one of the following processes: punching, die-cutting, engraving, shearing, laser cutting.

The method may further include a printing step of the first flat sheet 51, preceding or following the cutting step of the same sheet 51; by such a printing step it is possible to color the first sheet 51 and/or add symbols, such as images and/or words. Printing may be performed using at least one of the following processes: digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, flexopress printing, planographic printing, ink jet printing.

The process may further include a step of applying the tamper-evident coating on the first sheet 51; such a step may be carried out before or after the cutting step of the same sheet. If the printing step of the first sheet 51 is present, the step of applying the coating 52 is subsequent to printing. In detail, the coating application step may include the following sub-steps:

-   -   applying a support substrate 52 a on the first sheet,     -   applying a removable layer 52 b on the support substrate 52 a.

These application steps of the support substrate and the removable layer take place by means of at least one of the following processes: digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, flexopress printing, planographic printing, ink jet printing. Optionally, said flexographic printing is a UV flexographic printing. Preferably, the application of the support substrate 52 a and of the removable layer 52 b includes the application of an ink on the first sheet of a paint and on the support substrate, as described above. The above paint or ink may contain the above filmogenous polymer already formed or monomers and/or precursor oligomers of the above filmogenous polymer. In this case, a UV printing process is preferably used, preferably UV flexographic printing, and the above precursor compounds are adapted to give rise to the filmogenous polymer by crosslinking following UV irradiation. The inks or costs used for forming the support substrate and the removable layer preferably include an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents and, optionally, water. In the latter case, the organic solvent is a polar solvent, miscible with water. The method further includes a step of preparing a second flat sheet 53, for example made of paper material, and the subsequent cutting of the latter to define a first portion and a second portion 53 a, 53 b thereon (FIGS. 5, 6 and 24). The cutting step may include at least one of the following processes: punching, die-cutting, engraving, shearing, laser cutting. Thereafter, the second portion 53 b is folded over the first portion so that the latter can define the second base portion 12 while the first portion 53 a of the second sheet 53 can define the second hooking portion 14. On the first and/or second portion, an adhesive portion (for example glue) is applied so as to allow the stable bonding of these portions following the folding step: the adhesive portion allows keeping the second base portion 12 and the second hooking portion 14 folded (one above the other).

The method may further include a printing step of the second flat sheet 53, preceding or following the cutting step of the same sheet 53; by such a printing step it is possible to color the second sheet 53 and/or add symbols, such as images and/or words. Printing may be performed using at least one of the following processes: digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, flexopress printing, planographic printing, ink jet printing.

The process may further include a step of applying the tamper-evident coating 52 on the second sheet 53; such a step may be carried out before or after the cutting step of the same sheet. If the printing step of the second sheet 53 is present, the step of applying the coating 52 is subsequent to printing. In detail, the coating application step may include the following sub-steps:

-   -   applying a support substrate 52 a on the second sheet,     -   applying a removable layer 52 b on the support substrate 52 a.

These application steps of the support substrate and the removable layer take place by means of at least one of the following processes: digital printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, flexopress printing, planographic printing, ink jet printing. The process further includes a step of making on at least one the first and second sheet (51, 53) the removable portion 15; in particular, said portion is defined on the first and/or second hooking portion 13, 14 as described above. This step may be carried out before or after the steps of printing and applying the tamper-evident coating; in detail, the step of manufacturing the removable portion includes at least one of the following processes: punching, die-cutting, engraving, shearing, laser cutting. These processes allow defining on the respective sheet, the weakening element 26 delimiting said removable portion 15.

Use of the Coupling System 1

Furthermore, it is an object of the present disclosure a use of the tamper-evident coupling system 1, according to one or more of the accompanying claims and/or according to the above detailed description. The method of use provides for the use of the coupling system 1 to define at least one selected from the group of: a container, an envelope, a wrapping band of one or more products.

Container 100

The coupling system 1 previously described in each embodiment thereof may be coupled to a container 100 as shown in FIGS. 7-8 and 11-20. The container 100 includes at least one storage 2 defining an internal volume 3 configured for housing products, for example pills, tablets or blister packs (the products are not shown); the storage 2 essentially represents the compartment suitable for housing and supporting the products. In greater detail, the storage 2 includes a predetermined number of lateral walls 4 defining at least one passage opening 5 delimited by a free edge 6: the passage opening 5 is configured for putting in communication the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 with the external environment. In the accompanying figures a storage 2 is shown, exhibiting two opposite passage openings 5 with respect to the storage 2 itself, so that the latter may substantially define a duct or tube laterally delimited by the wall 4 and open at the longitudinal ends. The possibility of manufacturing, for example, a storage 2 exhibiting a single passage opening 5 or even a number of openings 5 greater than two (conditions not shown in the accompanying Figures) is not excluded. The storage 2 is made of sheet material, optionally paper, and is obtained, for example, by means of folding.

The container 100 includes the coupling system 1 previously described. The first base portion 11 is constrained by rotation to the free edge 6 of the storage 2: the first hooking portion 13 is borne by the first base portion 11 so that this latter is interposed between the free edge 6 of the storage 2 and the first hooking portion 13. The first base portion 11 and the first hooking portion 13 are movable, in particular, by rotation, with respect to the storage 2 and are configured for defining at least one closed condition in which at least part of the first base portion 11 interdicts the communication between the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 and the external environment. The first base portion 11 and the first hooking portion 13 are further configured for defining an open condition in which the latter themselves enable the communication between the internal volume 3 and the external environment. The first base portion 11 is integrally joined to the free edge 6 of the storage 2: in particular, the first base portion 11 is integrally joined to at least one lateral wall 4 of the storage 2 defining a single body of paper material.

The second base portion 12 of the coupling system 1 defines at least part of the lateral wall 4 of the storage 2, while the second hooking portion 14 is at least partially disposed in the internal volume 3 of said storage 2 (FIGS. 7, 8, 17-20). Alternatively, the second hooking portion 12 may extend in prolongation of the second portion 12 and therefore define at least part of the lateral wall 4 of the container 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The coupling system 1, under a first closed condition of the container 100, is configured for defining the priming condition in which the first and the second hooking portions 13, 14 are engaged with each other. The coupling system 1—under a first open condition of the container 100 following the first closed condition—is configured for defining the first disengagement condition under which the removable portion 15 is configured for separating from the coupling system 1 to show a tampering of the coupling system 1 itself and therefore of the container 100. During the priming condition and therefore of first closure of the container, the first and second hooking portions are at least partly arranged in the internal volume 3 of the storage 2, optionally spaced from the free edge 6.

The first hooking portion 13 extends as a prolongation of the first base portion 11 from the opposite part to the storage 2, in which, under the first closed condition of the container 1 and therefore under the priming condition, the first and the second hooking portions 13, 14 are configured for engaging with each other in the internal volume 3 of the storage 2. As shown in the accompanying figures, the first base portion 11 defines a closing portion 7 of the storage directly engaged with the free edge 2 and movable by rotation with respect to the latter. The closing portion 7 is countershaped to the opening 5 of the storage 2, so that, under the closed condition of the container 100, the closing portion 7 may interdict the passage from the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 to the external environment.

The first base portion 11 further defines a inserting portion 8 configured for being inserted, under the closed condition of the container, inside the volume 3 of the storage 2. As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the inserting portion 8 substantially includes a flat sheet configured to be arranged, in the closed condition of the container, in the storage 2 directly facing a lateral wall 4: the inserting portion, in the closed condition of the container 100, extends parallel to the wall 4 of the storage 2, in particular to a front wall of the storage 2 opposite to the wall directly connected with the closing portion 7.

The closure portion 7 and the inserting portion 8 have a reciprocal connection edge opposite to the free edge 2 of the storage 2 with respect to the closure portion 7 itself: the inserting portion 8 is movable by rotation with respect to the closure portion 7 around to this reciprocal connection edge. The inserting portion 8, in the priming condition of the coupling system 1, is configured to define, according to a cross section and in cooperation with the closing portion 7, a substantially “L” shape: in this condition, the inserting portion 8 extends substantially parallel to a lateral wall 4 of the storage 2.

The closing portion 7 and the inserting portion 8 of the first base portion 11 are integrally joined defining a closing tab 9 of the container 100 made of sheet material, for example, paper. The closing portion 7 and the inserting portion 8 are exhibited on each of the openings 5 of the container 100 so as to define the closing system. In particular, the closing tab 9 is integrally joined to the free edge 6 of the storage 2 and, therefore, to at least one lateral wall 4 of the container 100.

The through opening 28 of the coupling system 1 is defined on the closing portion 7 and/or on the inserting portion 8, and is arranged, under a closed condition of the container 100, in particular, at the removable portion 15 under the priming condition. The through opening 28, upon the priming condition of the coupling system 1 and before the first disengagement condition, is adapted to allow the passage of the projection 30 and, therefore, the exit thereof from the storage 2.

As described above, the coupling system 1 includes the tamper-evident coating 52; said coating defines at least part of an external surface, of at least one of the first and second hooking portion 13, 14, facing the outside of the container 1 as illustrated for example in FIGS. 7, 8, 11-15, 17, 19 and 20.

As can be seen in the accompanying figures, the container 100 may further include at least one abutment portion 80 engaged on the free edge 6 of the storage 2 adjacent to the closing portion 7: the abutment portion 80, in the closed condition, is configured for being interposed between the internal volume 3 and the closing tab 9 so as to cooperate with the latter to keep it permanently in said closure condition. The abutment portion 80 essentially includes a plane tab of sheet material integrally joined to the free edge 6 of the storage 2 adjacent to the closing portion 7. Also, the abutment portion 80 is configured for rotating around the free edge 6 to face, at least in the closed condition of the container 1, towards the inside of the storage 2. In greater detail, the abutment portion 80 is constrained to the free edge 6 so as to engage, in the closed condition of the container 100, at least part of the inserting portion 8 and/or of the closing portion 7 to stably keep the closing tab 9 in said condition. advantageously, the container 1 includes two abutment portions 80 opposed to each other with respect to the closing tab 9: the latter is interposed between the two abutment portions 11. In such configuration, the two abutment portions 80 symmetrically work on the closing tab 9 to keep it stably under the closed condition.

In a further embodiment, the container 100 may include a coupling system 1 of the type shown in FIG. 3, wherein the first and the second hooking portion 13, 14 do not have any removable portion 15, so as to define a container 100 having at least one locked bottom in which the constraint between the first and second hooking portion 13, 14 is irreversible. In said further embodiment, the coupling system 1 may include the tamper-evident coating 52 on the first or on the second hooking portion 13, 14, so as to highlight an attempt to open the coupling system itself. The container.

An embodiment of the container 100 having a coupling system 1 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in which the coupling system 1 includes a first and a second coupling portion 130, 140 configured to cooperate with each other and define a constraint. In particular, in said embodiment, the first and second coupling portion 130, 140 may be suitably shaped to allow the (mechanical) constraint between the same portions 130, 140 without the aid of the addition of adhesive portions (for example portions of glue) or they may be engaged with each other by gluing. In this embodiment, the second coupling portion may be defined by at least part of a lateral wall 4 of the container 100: the gluing is therefore defined between an internal surface of a lateral wall 4 facing the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 and the inserting portion 8 of the first coupling portion 130. The first and/or second coupling portion 130, 140 may further exhibit, at a surface thereof, the tamper-evident coating 52, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and of the type described above, thereby defining a container 100 having a tamper-evident coupling system 1. In particular, the tamper-evident coating 52 is arranged on a surface of the first coupling portion 130 facing, when the coupling system is in a priming condition, towards at least one lateral wall 4 of the container 100.

Process of Making the Container 100

Another object of the present disclosure is a process of making a tamper-evident container 100, according to one or more of the accompanying claims and/or according to the above detailed description.

The making process of the container 100 includes the steps of making the coupling system 1 described above.

The process further includes a step of preparing the storage 2 including a step of preparing a third sheet 56 including at least a first and a second portion 57, 59 interconnected with a central connecting portion 58. The third sheet 56 further includes at least one first and one second lateral connecting portion 60, 61; the central connecting portion 58 is interposed between the first and the second portion 57, 59, the first portion 57 is interposed between the first lateral connecting portion 61 and the central connecting portion 58. The second portion 59 is interposed between the second lateral connection portion 60 and the central connection portion 58. Each of the portions 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 includes at least two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite end edges. The first and second portions 57, 59, central connecting portion 58 and said lateral connecting portions 60, 61 are joined along the longitudinal edges and aligned along a single connection direction.

The step of preparing the storage 2 further includes a step of folding the third sheet 56, joining the lateral connecting portions 60, 61, to form the storage 2 exhibiting the passage opening 5 delimited by at least one free edge 6. The lateral connecting portions 60, 61 are joined to each other by means of adhesive material.

The step of preparing the storage 2 may further include a step of preparing a fourth sheet having at least one portion connected to at least one central and/or lateral connecting portion of the third sheet and emerging with respect to the latter. The portion of the fourth sheet is adapted to form a support portion 80 of the container 100.

The first sheet 51 is joined in a single piece to the second portion 59 of the third sheet 56; the first sheet is configured to be folded to form the closing portion 7 and the inserting portion 8 of the container 100, respectively.

The second sheet 53 defining the second base portion 12 of the second hooking portion 14 of the coupling system 1 is integrally joined to form a single body with the first portion 57 of the third sheet 56; in particular, the second sheet 53 emerges from the longitudinal edges of the third sheet 56.

In detail, the first, second, third and optionally the fourth sheet are joined together in a single piece to define a single blank of sheet material, in particular made of paper sheet material, foldable to form said container. 

1. A tamper-evident coupling system, comprising: a first base portion comprising a first coupling portion; a second base portion comprising a second coupling portion, the second coupling portion configured to cooperate with the first coupling portion; and a tamper-evident coating associated with a sheet material of one or both of the first and the second coupling portions, the tamper-evident coating configured to visually signal, following a scraping force of the coating, an attempt to separate the first and second coupling portions, wherein the first and second coupling portions are configured to define a priming configuration when the first and second coupling portions are engaged to each other.
 2. The coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion defines a first hooking portion and the second coupling portion defines a second hooking portion, wherein one or both of the first and second hooking portions comprises a removable portion configured to be separated from the coupling system following the application of a mechanical stress suitable to separate the first and second hooking portions when in the priming configuration.
 3. The coupling system according to claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident coating is applied superficially on at least part of the sheet material of one or both of the first and the second coupling portions.
 4. The coupling system according to claim 1, wherein in the priming configuration, the tamper-evident coating covers, at least partly, the first coupling portion on a side facing the second base portion.
 5. The coupling system according to claim 1, the tamper-evident coating further comprising: a support substrate bound directly to a surface of the sheet material of one or both of the first and the second coupling portions, optionally bound directly to the sheet material of one or both of the first and the second hooking portions; and a removable layer superimposed onto the support substrate so that the support substrate is interposed between the removable layer and the sheet material to which the support layer is bound to directly, wherein an adhesion strength between the support layer and the sheet material is greater than the adhesion strength between the removable layer and the support layer.
 6. The coupling system according to claim 5, wherein the removable layer has a different coloration with respect to the coloration of the support layer that allows for the tamper-evident coating to change coloration after being subjected to a scraping force on at least part of the removable layer, thereby signaling an attempt to tamper with the coupling system.
 7. The coupling system according to claim 5, wherein the support substrate comprises a paint comprising one or more filmogenous polymer, monomer, or precursor oligomer.
 8. The coupling system according to claim 7, wherein the paint comprises a silicone resin and one or more polymers selected from acrylic resins, alkyd resins, polyester resins, vinyl resins and phenolic resins.
 9. The coupling system according to claim 5, wherein the removable layer comprises an ink comprising one or more filmogenous polymer, or monomer, or precursor oligomer, and a metallic pigment.
 10. The coupling system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second hooking portions comprise a first and second hook, respectively, defining an undercut portion delimited by a gripping edge, the first and second hooks configured to stably engage each other during the priming configuration, the first and second hooks exhibiting respective concavities facing each other when in the priming configuration.
 11. The coupling system according to claim 10, wherein the tamper-evident coating fully covers the surface of the first hook.
 12. The coupling system according to claim 11, wherein the second hooking portion comprises a base body comprising the second hook, the second hook being movable by rotation with respect to the base portion, the second hook adjustable to: a first configuration in which the second hook extends parallel to the base body of the second hooking portion and is arranged parallel to the second base portion, and a second configuration in which the second hook is arranged transversely with respect to the base body of the second hooking portion and with respect to the second base portion.
 13. The coupling system according to claim 10, wherein in the priming configuration, the tamper-evident coating covers, at least partly, the second hook on a side facing the second base portion.
 14. A tamper-evident container, comprising: a storage made of sheet material and defining an internal volume and configured to house one or more products, the storage having a predetermined number of lateral walls defining a passage opening delimited by a free edge and configured to place the internal volume of the storage in communication with an external environment, a coupling system, comprising: a first base portion comprising a first coupling portion, a second base portion comprising a second coupling portion, the second coupling portion configured to cooperate with the first coupling portion, the first and the second coupling portion configured to define a priming configuration when the first and second coupling portion are engaged to each other, wherein the coupling system comprises a tamper-evident coating associated with a sheet material of one or both of the first and the second coupling portions, wherein the tamper-evident coating is configured to visually signal, following a scraping force of the coating, an attempt to separate the first and second coupling portions, wherein the first base portion is constrained by rotation to the free edge of the storage, the first coupling portion is carried by the first base portion so that this latter is interposed between the free edge of the storage and the first coupling portion, wherein the first base portion and the first coupling portion are movable relatively to the storage, and configured to define a close configuration of the container in which at least part of the first base portion prevents communication between the internal volume of the storage and the external environment, the first base portion and the first coupling portion configured to define an open configuration in which the first coupling portion allows communication between the internal volume and the external environment, wherein the second base portion of the coupling system defines at least part of a lateral wall of the storage, wherein the first and the second coupling portions, during a configuration of first closure of the container, are configured to be engaged to define said priming configuration of the coupling system, wherein the tamper-evident coating is associated with the sheet material of one or both of the first and the second coupling portions facing the exterior of the container. 